Having qualified for the last 16, Costa Rica have emulated the feat of their
celebrated predecessors at Italia 90, who progressed to the knockout stages
before being eliminated by Czechoslovakia

Celso Borges believes that he can surpass his father in the history books by inspiring Costa Rica to a first appearance in the World Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Greece in Recife.

The two big surprise packages of Brazil 2014 meet in the Arena Pernambuco today with a place in the last eight beckoning for the winners. Having emerged unbeaten at the top of a group containing previous winners Uruguay, Italy and, of course, England, Costa Rica have emulated the feats of their celebrated predecessors at Italia 90, who progressed to the last 16 before being eliminated by Czechoslovakia.

That team included Alexandre Borges Guimarães, Celso’s father, and the squad members secured iconic status in the tiny Central American country with their achievements 24 years ago. But with the quarter-finals potentially just 90 minutes away, Celso Borges, the Costa Rica midfielder, insists that Los Ticos can break new ground in Brazil.

“We came here to enjoy ourselves, treating everything seriously and professionally, but also playing with smiles on our faces,” Borges said. “Now we have another challenge, but also another chance to give great memories to people back home and write a new page in our history. My father and I meet up every night and talk a lot together. He is as excited as I am about how things have going and he’s told me to enjoy and make the most of every minute.

“He said this is a moment and a stage in your football life you might never get back again, and that kind of advice I listen to and respect a lot. I’m very proud that I’m now part of my country’s football history, just like my dad.”

Related Articles

Having claimed seven points and conceded just one goal during their three group games, Costa Rica have displayed the ability to defend and attack in equal measure in Brazil.

Borges insists that belief is high within the squad that their tournament will extend beyond the clash with 2004 European champions Greece.

“We know that most people outside Costa Rica didn’t expect us to qualify and we’re very happy to have achieved what we have,” Borges said. “But even if other people doubted us, we always knew that we could do it and I think you can see that belief in the way we play.

“What’s important now is that we keep on aiming higher. We’re in with the last 16, which is a massive achievement for us and for the country, but we have real belief we can go further. “The way we are playing, why shouldn’t we be confident? We don’t underestimate how difficult it will be, but we’re here to play and to compete, and that’s worked well so far.”

Greece’s progression to the second round was almost as surprising as Costa Rica’s, although former Celtic striker Georgios Samaras is in no mood for the adventure to end yet.

“We never stop believing and we will fight till the very last second,” he said. “Lots of games are decided in the final seconds and not just any old game either. It’s happened in some massive matches, with two goals sometimes being scored in the closing seconds. You have to keep trying to make things happen.”